As the Charles and Henry had promised, from the time he settled in the magnificent mansion where the Trévilles lived, he was indeed introduced to the glamorous and bizarre social scene of Paris, where he was overwhelmed with parties. And because he knew his relationship with the Tréville family, everyone treated him very politely, and wanted to make him happy, and he did have a good time in it.

But even when he was flattered and indulged in the pleasures of drunkenness, Henry did not lose the last shred of his sanity - he understood why he had all this, and what it took to keep it all.

Today he did not have to go to other people's houses, because Madame Charlotte, the wife of the Imperial Chancellor Charles de Treville, had held a banquet in her own house.

Since she was a child, Mrs. Charlotte has been fond of socializing and showmanship, and even after getting married, she has not changed this hobby, so she often entertains guests. Since the establishment of the empire and the fact that the man became the minister of the empire, with the improvement of the status of the man, this kind of banquet has become more grand, and every time it is full of friends, the glitz and bustle of the imperial era, and the spirit of spending money and just seeking joy for one night, have begun to take shape here.

After several years of operation by the Charles, the already luxurious mansion has become more and more luxurious, full of exquisite decorations and resplendent gold everywhere.

However, even if it is the same guest, there is still a difference between intimacy and intimacy in the host, although His Excellency the Minister attended the banquet today, but except for a few words he hastily sent at the beginning, he mixed up with a few of his cronies and friends who attended today, and the others rarely had the opportunity to interject.

And Henry, who had already shown loyalty to Charles, was also drawn into this small circle.

It is worth mentioning that there are two young people here today. One was the Duke of Gaston de Choisele-Platah, Charles' personal secretary, and the other was Viscount Georges de Del Dielion, brother of Matilda and brother-in-law of Lucien.

Unlike the duke, who is dressed in a formal suit and does not smile, George is a very cheerful young man, because he is studying in a military school, he wears a military uniform, and the decent military uniform sets off the young man's figure thin and straight, and his brown hair like his sister is also neatly combed and shiny, and his facial features are delicate and he looks very handsome. Since he has been staying in the military academy for the past two years, it is the first time he has participated in social activities as an adult today, and he seems eager and full of passion.

However, in front of Lucien and Charles, he could only suppress his temperament and listen honestly to their instructions.

"George, you will soon become a true adult, and I hope that in the coming war, you will be able to show your courage with great courage." Charles looked at him with a smile, "Remember, time waits for no one, and war is imminent, and every little effort you make now will help you greatly in the future." My grandfather and I are very optimistic about you. ”

"I see, Your Excellency." George nodded respectfully at him. "I will never fail to live up to the expectations of you and the marshal."

Although Charles technically robbed him of his father's position, he did not hate Charles because of his sister Matilda's relationship - he did not like his father, but admired and loved his sister very much, so he was also very close to Charles under the influence of his sister.

Moreover, George knew that his future in the army depended heavily on this minister - although he was not a soldier himself, he was very influential in the army because of his previous service in the War Department and single-handedly led a large number of officer promotions, not to mention that he also had a grandfather who was a field marshal, and the field marshal was now planning to transfer him to his side as an adjutant.

If there was a field marshal as a protector, at least the first half of his military career would have been brilliant.

To be honest, George is not particularly keen on getting ahead, he prefers to be a prodigal in comparison, but his grandfather's last wish was for him to make a name for himself in the army, and his father also hoped that he could inherit the family business, so he had to be patient to climb the ladder.

"George's personality is too impatient and needs to be honed." At this moment, Lucien suddenly spoke, "He needs to know that in a real war, bravery is not enough, patience and resourcefulness are required. ”

"This is a common problem among young people." Charles smiled slightly, "But I think by my grandfather's side, on the real battlefield, he will learn this." ”

"I think so." Lucien nodded regretfully.

To be honest, he felt that it was not too good for a soldier to stay by the side of the marshal and experience a war, because he could not face the blood, fire and toil of the front line, nor could he perceive their hardships and fears, and even he did not have to face too many tests of life and death, so it was difficult to grow into a qualified commander.

But...... His wife and sister-in-law would never want to see their only brother go to the front, they wished that His Majesty the Emperor would directly make him a general, and it was rare to be able to feel the war up close.

"By the way, Lucien, how are you preparing?" Charles smiled and asked, "I can't supervise on the side, but I don't think you guys will be slacking off." ”

"That's natural." Lucien shrugged, "The reserve army has been secretly gathered, the exercises have not stopped, and we have even simulated a battle according to the predetermined battlefield. Everything is ready now, and the soldiers are waiting for the day when the battle will come - to be honest, I don't think the army has been so united in decades as it is today, and of course, you have a part to do...... However, while you're no longer at the War Department, we still have a lot of help for you. ”

"What's the busy?" Charles hurriedly asked.

"Although we were not optimistic about the consumption of materials in the first place, it now seems that the consumption of war may be even greater than imagined, which puts too high a demand on the army to support us, really, too high." Lucien looked at Charles solemnly, "Charles, I don't doubt that the country can collect or produce these materials, but it will be a very serious challenge to transport them to the front line and deliver them to the hands of every soldier. ”

"And I ran to become a minister in order to achieve this." Charles also became serious, "I think that in the entire empire now, I am the only one who will achieve this with great enthusiasm and my own ability. ”

"Don't talk so much, Your Excellency." Viscount Alex de Rotherec, who was next to him, suddenly laughed, "I'm afraid you don't know what kind of monster the current army is, it can eat mountains of gold." ”

Thanks to Charles's help, the War Office official rose to the position of Deputy Secretary-General of the Secretariat, and has now become one of the few powerful figures in the Army - albeit not well-known.

"Even so, I was able to solve this challenge with my unparalleled determination and the power of modern industry." Despite the ridicule of the other party, Charles remained unwavering.

Then, he suddenly laughed as well, "Actually, you should really change into that outfit today, it looks much better than this outfit, and it will definitely make everyone's eyes shine." ”

This vicious ridicule made Alex frown, but he was still unwilling to silence it. Since he was discovered by Charles and forced to write a self-confession, he really can't compete with Charles anymore, so he can only swallow his anger.

Fortunately, Charles didn't want to chase after him, and when everyone didn't know why, he looked at Henry, who had not spoken all this time, but seemed to have been suffocated.

"Henry, you must have doubts in your heart, right? Yes, I'll repeat it to you again - war is imminent, and this time you will play an important role. ”

Then, Charles walked up to Henry's side and told him everything the Empire was now planning to do to him in shock.

"Oh my God!" He was dumbfounded again.

"In short, to guarantee such an expedition, it is necessary to keep the sea routes open. And if we want to maintain the smooth flow of sea routes, we must have absolute sea supremacy. And, more importantly, we need to show the strength of the Imperial Navy to the British, not rely on them......" Charles concluded, "So, the task of the Navy is heavy, in other words, your time to show your talents." Compared to the previous emperor, our new emperor values both the army and the navy. ”

Then, he patted Henry's shoulder, who was still a little daunted, "Do a good job, Henry, your future is bright." ”

"Alright, Charles, it's so boring for you to tell him something like this at this time!" Albert suddenly interjected, and he also patted Henry on the shoulder, "Friend, you have always been in the south, this time you finally came to Paris, you should have a good time, don't take those things to heart, it's not too late to think about it in the future, it's rare to have a Charles treat, you should make the atmosphere happy!" ”

"Yes...... It's ......" Henry nodded repeatedly, but he didn't know what he was talking about.

"It's up to you to liven things up, Albert." Charles smiled and said, "They are all soldiers, where can they be like you." ”

"But it's really not easy to talk about here, it's too restrained." Albert sighed, "When I think of your wife by my side, where do I dare to tell more jokes?" ”

"That's a problem...... Charles nodded, then muttered to himself.

After a moment, he looked up again, "Well, I'm going to Giverny for business in a while, and you can come with him to Giverny, where there is wine, scenery, everything." Anyway, now that the railway has been built there, you can arrange a military exercise there, and you can take this opportunity to have a good time......"

"That's great!" Before anyone else could reply, Albert responded directly. "I've been in Paris lately, and I'm feeling a little too depressed, so I'm going there to check it out."

Then, he looked at George jokingly. "Friend, are you a boy or a man now?"

His gaze was narrow, and George was old enough to understand him.

"I ...... I haven't tried it yet. He said with a blush.

"It's a bit pitiful......" Albert sighed, "but that's okay, now you've touched me!" I can bring you one when the time comes, and let you know the joy of being alive...... Or two? ”

George's face turned even redder, but instead of vetoing it, his heart was full of anticipation.

At home, he was watched by his two sisters, but the young man with strong blood was already full of reverie, and now a great opportunity was waiting for him, how could he not be eager to try?

Seeing him like this, everyone laughed in unison, and experienced the fun of making fun of young people, and even Gaston couldn't help but laugh.

Then, they toasted each other with this excitement, and the atmosphere was much warmer all of a sudden.

But in the midst of the laughter, Charles remained awake.

He watched the men quietly, paying attention to their mannerisms and conversations.

Unconsciously, he has gathered a group for himself, a political and military group that is not obvious, but has great promise, and these people can be regarded as the core figures in the group.

As a politician, he has subordinates who can use it, so the number of cronies does not need to be large, but it needs to be capable and trustworthy, and these people can almost make the best use of them.

He deliberately offered to take them to the pastime, and his purpose was to use various methods, whether it was buying or emotionally entrapment, to improve the sense of belonging of this group of people to their own group. And now it seems that the effect is not too bad.

Just as he was secretly thinking about it, there was a loud shout at the door.

"Marshal de Treville has arrived!"

With this roll call, the hall fell silent for a moment.

Soon after, however, conversation resumed, but all eyes were on the door.

Soon, Marshal Trevier, dressed in military uniform, arrived in the hall.

Under the gaze of all, he held a marshal's scepter, looking majestic and imposing.

Everyone hurriedly saluted him, but he just picked up the marshal's staff, shook it lightly at the people in the hall, and walked to the center of the hall.

"Grandpa, you're finally here." Charles smiled and stepped forward, symbolically holding his hand.

………………………………

While Charles was talking to his friends, his wife was in his lounge, receiving one of her friends.

The friend was about thirty years old, with a beautiful face, a small pink velvet hat on his head, and long hair tucked into it.

Instead of looking at Charlotte opposite, she gently teased a baby in front of her.

She carefully rubbed and kneaded the baby's face with her hands, and from time to time she made a grimace to tease the other party, and even put her fingers into his mouth, and the baby instinctively sucked her fingers tightly, and the tingling sensation from sucking made her giggle.

Seeing this appearance, who would have thought that her hands would be faster than a man's sword?

"Wow! Your son is so cute! She laughed and said, "Charles is lucky to be able to marry you!" ”

"If only he had thought so......" Charlotte's face sank slightly.

"What's wrong?" Agnes was a little strange, "I just became a mother, why are I still so depressed?" I don't think your current situation is quite good, right? has a prosperous husband and a healthy and lovely son...... There is no nasty father-in-law to disturb your good life. ”

Ever since Charlotte betrayed her father-in-law, Edgar de Treville, in England to Agnes who had been hunting him down, and Agnes had made her a friend, and Charlotte was the only person in the Trevill family other than Charles to have a crush on.

She had come here after receiving an invitation from Charlotte.

"Wouldn't it be great if all was that?" Charlotte sighed suddenly, "However, things are not as simple as they seem, really...... There are some things that are so uncomfortable on my mind. ”

"Uncomfortable? It's hard to imagine what else you need to be uncomfortable with. Agnes shrugged, "Actually, I think you're enviable enough. ”

"If Charles really loved me loyally, then of course I would have thought everything would be so good...... It's enviable, but it's not like that! Charlotte let out another long sigh.

"You mean he's not loyal?" Agnes seemed to understand something.

"yes, that's it," Charlotte bowed slightly, "he fooled around before he got married, and then he begged me to forgive, and I did." But...... After he became a minister, he seems to have reverted to his old ways, yes, I have enough basis to judge that. ”

"That's ......," Agnes gasped.

After a while, she smiled bitterly, "Is this the bloodline......

The father is like this, the son is like this, and the family is probably like this.

"So I want to ask for your help." Charlotte looked up at the other party, "I ask you to help me so that the worst doesn't happen." ”

"What's the worst outcome?" Agnes still didn't understand.

Charlotte hesitated, but finally spoke up.

"I suspect that Charles may have been seduced by his sister, you know, how terrible it is."

"Oh my God!" Agnes' eyes widened.

"Yes, his sister has had this abnormal evil thought since she was a child, and I have known it for a long time." Charlotte frowned suddenly, and her tone became scathing, "She's the kind of person who deliberately likes to pretend to be pitiful, and she always turns people around, I think you've seen a lot of people like this, but I have to tell you, she's a connoisseur among them." As a result, she naturally made a mess of everyone, so we don't know how much trouble we caused! When we got married a while ago, she seemed to be a little more restrained, but now she has relapsed, you don't know how excessive she is, and she doesn't hide it in front of me! ”

"Do you have any basis for thinking so?" Agnes asked again.

"There is no complete basis, but I think it is very likely, because she is the only one who would do that to the Imperial Chancellor and demonstrate to me." Charlotte bit her lip suddenly, "Really, it's terrible, did you think of the consequences?" If the affair between the Imperial Chancellor and his sister is revealed, God knows what will happen to the Charr! I need your help so that the charr are not deceived by the pleasures of the moment, for you have this prestige in the presence of the charles. ”

"I see...... I see. Agnes nodded slightly, "That'...... What do your family members say? ”

"I didn't tell them at all. I can only ask you for help - my father and brother have long been in his complicity, and they are unscrupulous and unscrupulous people who have fallen at the feet of the Charles, for he can bring them good...... What's more, they were afraid of the Charles, they were really afraid, and everyone was afraid when the Charles started the fire. Charlotte smiled wryly, "And what can I bring them?" They could only be reminded of their grandfather's ghost and the old rules, and that was something they wanted to throw away right away! Besides, they themselves are not as ridiculous as the Charles, if not even more ridiculous! They won't help me, and I have very few helpers around. It's ridiculous that I want to help Charles, and be so alone. ”

"Poor boy." Seeing Charlotte look so sad, Agnes couldn't help but feel a little sympathetic.

"Please help me, at least before we can turn everything into a great tragedy." Charlotte took her hand. (To be continued.) )